Collaborative Strategies for Reducing Attacks on Ad Hoc Network Nodes

This paper is focused on the integration of strategies for managing trust in ad hoc and other unstructured networks and services. A general trust overlay architecture and model are provided, and the integration of a range of strategies is discussed. These include strategies for efficient exchange of trust information as well as for individual nodes to capture and use this information in making security decisions. Results are presented of simulations that assess the effectiveness of these strategies in ad hoc networks. Of particular interest is the robustness of the trust system when faced with malicious nodes that attempt to corrupt the system, possibly in collusion with each other.